Ministers have approved plans to increase passenger capacity at London City Airport from 6.5 million to nine million per annum by 2031, a move that a senior official insists will be rooted in local growth and transparency. The East London hub, the capital's most central runway, currently handles around four million passengers per year, mostly on short-haul flights to European destinations.
Approved expansion and aircraft changes
In 2024, the government backed the expansion to turbocharge the economy. Travel chiefs are now evaluating the best way to achieve this, including applying for permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for a lower aircraft approach. This could allow the larger Airbus A320neo to operate at the airport. A decision is expected next month.
Airport officials say the larger, modern aircraft are "more fuel efficient, more environmentally friendly and quieter" and would mean no extra flights are needed to increase passenger capacity. Michael Kissman, Director of Corporate Affairs for London City Airport, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "We want to hold on to the element that we've always had of this being rooted in East London and being part of the East London growth story."
Rooted in East London growth
Kissman noted that since the airport opened in 1987, it has been a catalyst for growth alongside other investments in the area. "We want to continue that transformation. We're delighted that we've got the support from the government to grow and invest - the question, absolutely, is how do we achieve that growth now?"
He explained that changing the mix of aircraft is key: "At the moment, we use predominantly smaller regional jets, but by introducing aircraft such as the A320, it will mean we're able to grow the airport towards that new passenger cap of nine million but with relatively fewer flights, with more modern aircraft that are more efficient, have a better fuel economy better on noise."
Responsible growth and local concerns
Addressing opponents, Kissman said there is an "understandable debate" but the question is about "responsible growth" and the method, not the underlying need. "It's not broke at any cost," he added. "We work closely with all our stakeholders to make sure that we do it in the right way. We've been very transparent about what we're trying to do."
However, the plans have sparked concern at City Hall. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Assembly Members are sceptical of the environmental and noise impact. Earlier this month, Leonie Cooper, former chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee, told MyLondon's The London Brief podcast: "We are talking about expanding the airport right in the middle of what is becoming a more and more dense area for population without doing a proper, robust, independent analysis of the impacts of particularly noise."
Cooper added: "We do know now that noise impacts, particularly when people are trying to sleep, are very, very bad. It's not just the noise, it's also the vibrations that you get as well, that sort of rumble." She questioned the need for expanding multiple London airports simultaneously, including City, Luton, Stansted, Heathrow, and Gatwick.
Political divide and economic potential
Cooper's committee wrote a letter to the CEO of London City Airport earlier this summer demanding "robust, independent real-world assessments" of local community impacts. However, Thomas Turrell, a Conservative Assembly Member who sat on the Environment Committee at the time, refused to sign the letter. He called the expansion a "no-brainer" and said Britain is "desperate for extra aviation capacity."
Turrell, the City Hall Tories transport spokesman, said the expansion will "unleash so much economic potential for East London" and criticised Mayor Khan for not backing the government's decision. "When it comes to airport expansion, he's the biggest NIMBY (not in my back yard) going," Turrell said. "Airports are economic engines - this could unleash huge economic potential for East and South East London."
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: "The Mayor is clear that changes such as those proposed at London City Airport should only be approved once the environmental impacts have been properly assessed and addressed. While the mayor recognises the economic growth and jobs that aviation brings to London and the wider UK, he has also been clear that the sector needs to take full responsibility for minimising and mitigating its environmental impacts, including on local communities."
A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson told the LDRS: "Airport expansion will unlock jobs, strengthen Britain's connectivity, and attract international investment, and we have been clear that it must support our decarbonisation goals while minimising impacts on local communities."
